Sharks the catch of the day as Cherry Point Marines go fishing

Lance Cpl. John Webb reeled in a foot-long black tip shark from the side of the Crystal Coast Lady Friday.

Drew C. Wilson, Havelock News

Lance Cpl. John Webb reeled in a foot-long black tip shark from the side of the Crystal Coast Lady Friday.

“The waters are safer now that I’ve got ‘Jaws,’” Webb joked as he wrapped the little shark in a towel, pulled the fishing hook from its mouth and released it into Cape Lookout Bight.

“It was safer for a moment,” Webb said as the fish re-entered the clear, green water beside the boat.

Webb was one of a dozen Marines and sailors that spent a half-day of fishing aboard the head boat out of Beaufort at Cape Lookout Bight on Friday morning.

The trip was part of the Single Marine Program at Cherry Point and was cosponsored by the Military Affairs Committee of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce and Crabby Patty’s restaurant in Havelock.

“I am so appreciative of everyone who came out today to support this event,” said Jen Krivohlavy, Single Marine Program coordinator for Cherry Point. “The Havelock Military Affairs Committee has been amazing and they have been so supportive of our single and unaccompanied Marines and sailors. I am just truly grateful for all of their support in this. We had a great time and caught a lot of sharks and a lot of other fish.

“I really enjoyed seeing a lot of the Marines and sailors who had not been out fishing before or maybe it has been the first time in their adult life. Truly the best part

of the day was seeing them catch fish and just have a great time and be with their friends. It was awesome.”

Cpl. Cecil Jernigan, of Marine Air Control Group 28, enjoyed going on the trip.

“I caught hogfish, spot, croaker, sea robin and seven black tip sharks,” Jernigan said. “I paid like five bucks for a meal and free fishing, plus being able to converse with everybody.”

Cpl. Shamara Spurlock, also of MACG-28, caught all sharks.

“It was awesome. I’ve never caught that many fish in one day. This is my first time fishing from a boat this big too,” she said.

Farmer Styron, the captain of the Crystal Coast Lady, said it was great to be around all of the personnel from Cherry Point.

“I spent more of my life in the service,” Styron said as he walked around the boat helping anglers take the hooks out of the fish. “Seeing them made me jealous. I wish I had my time to do over.

“We all owe a great debt of gratitude to these young men and women. They are the backbone of this country.”

The group fished under clear skies and in the calm waters of Cape Lookout Bight.

“I caught a shark, but it got away but that’s how fishing goes.” said Hospitalman Amelia Rudd. “I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I think it’s a great opportunity. It gets people outside and away from the base for a while. It gives us time to breathe.”

Cpl. Cecil Jernigan, of Marine Air Control Group 28 said he enjoyed fishing.

“I love fishing more than life,” he said. “You can’t beat a free lunch and fishing for $5. The crew is very accommodating and it’s a nice day for fishing.”